Wei slides back in his seat before rising to his feet. The thought that had been on his mind for multiple nights–the reason for his decision to stay in New Hope City–resurfaces in his mind, urging him downwards into a deep kowtow.
“What are you-”
“Instructor Liu Sun! Please accept this humble student, Zhou Weixing, as your disciple!”
The sudden request catches Sun off-guard, causing him to raise an eyebrow as his mind replays Wei’s words. Silence descends across the room as he tries to understand not just the request, but also the inclusion of the “Liu” surname.
“Wei…” Sun pauses, unsure which part to address first.
“Before you reject me-” Wei’s heart drops upon hearing the unfavorable tone. Mistaking it as a rejection, he presses his forehead deeper into the floor and hastily continues- his words well practiced from multiple recitings during his stay at the Resting Crane Tree. “I’m aware that my behavior has been unbefitting of a prince! I know that I’m not well received by others- and I have nobody to blame except myself! The way I have been–the way I am–I do not wish to be! I’m willing to- no, I have already set aside my status and name in pursuit of your mentorship! Please, guide me so that I can live up to my name!”
Sun listens with a strained expression, unsure if he should be smiling in response to the earnest words or laughing in response to the misunderstanding. A short moment after Wei finishes, Sun decides to set the misunderstandings aside for now.
“Zhou Weixing, before anything, your behavior was unbefitting of not just a prince, but any respectable person.”
Wei flinches upon hearing the start to the rejection.
“You’re correct- you are at fault and there is nobody to blame except yourself.”
Wei’s heart drops. His fingernails digs into the meat of his palm as Sun continues.
“The way you have been is not someone you should ever wish to be.”
Wei clenches his jaw. Though he had prepared for the likelihood of rejection, he still finds it hard to stomach as it unfolds before him.
But you’re wrong about one thing…
Sun chuckles as he catches a glimpse of a little girl peeking from the corner of the window.
The way you are now, it can’t be that bad if Yuyu accepts you.
“That aside, tell me something, young Wei.” Although he had already largely made up his mind regarding the boy kowtowing before him–the descendant of someone he once knew, a figure Sun now considers an old friend–Sun still wants to hear the answers from Wei’s mouth. “What does it mean to live up to your name?”
To live up to my name…?
Though he had prepared the speech multiple times, Wei did not prepare an answer for this question. With the situation not allowing him time to beat himself up, Wei’s mind races as he tries to figure out the question that Chunhua had onced asked him.
Sun waits patiently as Wei struggles with the question, his heart genuinely rooting for the boy to give him an answer.
My friend, it seems your descendant is in need of your guidance.
Silence looms within the barrier. Wei, still tense and lost in thought, trembles as the answer evades him. Seeing Wei’s trembling intensify, Sun couldn’t help but sigh.
There are no wrong answers, young Wei.
“Instructor Liu Sun…” After a long silence, Wei finally speaks, his tone full of defeat. “The answer to your question, I don’t yet know… I just- I don’t want to ever feel that feeling again. That unbearable sense of helplessness… I don’t know what we are, me and the others… But never again-” He suddenly pauses as images from the long night flashes across his mind. As the night replays in his mind, he continues with a slight tremble in his voice. “N-n-never again! I will never watch helplessly as the people around m-”
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A smile sweeps across Sun’s face as he listens to the strikingly similar reasoning between Wei and Dan.
That is an answer in itself, young Wei- an answer as good as any.
Although not as great with his version, Sun pays no attention to Wei’s choice of semantics. With his curiosity satiated, Sun rises from his seat and stands before Wei.
“Zhou Weixing, descendant of the great Zhou Tongba, repeat after me only if you are prepared to uphold it.”
Wei’s heart begins to race upon hearing a sudden shift in Sun’s tone. As he lifts his gaze to meet Sun’s smile, the tears that had accumulated in his eyes during the unpleasant flashback breaks free. Slamming his head back towards the floor, Wei silently affirms his understanding.
Sun closes his eyes, his mind traveling back to a simpler time. A weathered hand descends onto his coarse hair. A stern, yet caring, voice beckons him to repeat an oath- one that he had forgotten for a millennium.
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“Across the lands and beneath the Heavens.”
“Across the lands and towards the Heavens!”
“On my pursuit of a greater truth- a winding road with no destination. On my pursuit of a greater height- a perilous road with no end.”
“On my pursuit of a greater truth- a winding road with no destination. On my pursuit of a greater height- a perilous road with no end!”
“Never will I forsaken the lessons that I have learned. Never will I forsaken the people who guided the way.”
“Never will I forsaken the lessons that I have learned. Never will I forsaken the people who guided the way!”
“In the face of triumph, I remain humble. In the face of defeat, I will grow.”
“In the face of triumph, I remain humble. In the face of defeat, I will grow.”
“As the flames of war rages, I will stay the path I’ve chosen.”
“As the flames of turmoil rages, I will stay the path I’ve chosen!”
“If ever should rage fuel my flame, I will refuse the crimson temptation.”
“If ever should rage fuel my flame, I will refuse the crimson temptation!”
“For those who pursue the greatest truth should not stray from the righteous path.”
“For those who pursue the greatest truth should not stray from the righteous path!”
“For those who pursue the highest heights should stay grounded in where they began.”
“For those who pursue the highest heights should stay grounded in where they began!”
“Amidst the chaos of this warring era, I will stand tall for those around me.”
“Amidst the darkness behind this peaceful era, I will stand tall for those around me!”
“Beneath the weight of the Heavens that has forsaken us, I will endure to protect their smiles.”
“Beneath the weight of the Heavens, I will endure to protect their smiles!”
“Across the lands and towards the Heavens, I, S…, will abide by the teachings of Master Song T… and uphold my oath.”
“Across the lands and towards the Heavens, I, Zhou Weixing–descendant of the great Zhou Tongba and Second Disciple of Liu Sun–will uphold my oath as I strive to live up to my name!”
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Sun smiles in response to Wei’s unprompted addition. He pauses as the Great Song General’s awkward laughter rings in his head. Recalling that both he and the Great General are both oath-breakers, Sun remembers to add the amendment he had made to the oath that Dan swore to uphold.
“...to the best of my ability.”
“To the best of my ability!”
With the oath complete, Wei lifts his head. “Please accept your disciple’s nine kowtows!”
He lowers his head back towards the floor, his voice stable and resounding as he recites the significance of each kowtow before lifting his head in preparation for the next.
“Respect! Gratitude! Loyalty! Obedience! Honesty! Trust! Sincerity! Friendship! Acknowledgement of Master Liu Sun!”
The nine kowtows leave Sun completely stunned, confusion imprinted across his face.
Was I supposed to… Was Dan sup- nevermind.
Deciding that he’ll ask Yuyu when he gets a chance, Sun pushes the question to the back of his mind.
“By the way, Wei, my surname is not ‘Liu’...”